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UWPD Joins Effort to Stop Impaired Driving on Super Bowl Sunday

January 30, 2014 — Local and state law enforcement officers will work
together to stop impaired driving on Super Bowl Sunday.

“Before choosing to drink, choose a sober designated
driver,” says Mike Samp, chief of the University of Wyoming Police Department.
“Drunk driving is always preventable, and driving drunk could result in serious
injury, your death or the death of someone else. Expect city, county and state
law enforcement to have a visible presence and to stop anyone who drinks and
drives.”

The Super Bowl brings families, friends and fans
together each year to enjoy the excitement of the big game. These gatherings
should end safely, not with tragedy, Samp says.

Law enforcement and the Wyoming Governor’s Council
on Impaired Driving are working to spread this message to the public: “Fans don’t
let fans drive drunk.”

Last year in Wyoming, there were 848 alcohol-related
crashes, resulting in 31 fatalities.

“As we all know, the loss of even one life to this
most preventable crime is too many,” Gov. Matt Mead says. “I ask you to join me
in saving the lives of your friends, family and other innocent Wyoming
citizens, by participating in and supporting these and future programs to stop
impaired driving in our state.”

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2011, 9,878 people were
killed in drunken-driving crashes nationwide. Drunken-driving fatalities
accounted for 31 percent of all motor vehicle traffic fatalities in the United
States.